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Welders join and cut metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components, make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment. Wire process operators work primarily in production and manufacturing plants, joining components and sub-assemblies. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on "Contact Us" on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).
Under Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and Welder Trade Regulation, you must have a certificate that is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training or be a registered apprentice if you use oxy-fuel, soldering, shielded metal arc, gas metal arc, flux core arc, submerged arc and gas tungsten arc, electric arc, plasma arc or resistance welding processes in Alberta.
The term of apprenticeship for welders is three years (three 12 month periods) with 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training in each year. The term for wire process operators is two years (two 12 month periods) with 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training in the first year and 1,800 hours of on-the-job training in the second year. Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Welders from other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
